In this episode, CEO Andy Allaway of Empire Flippers joins the show to unpack his journey from corporate manager to leading a fully remote, high-growth global business. Andy shares lessons on navigating hyper-growth, building culture in a distributed team, and stepping into leadership during a time of transformation.

He opens up about the challenges of succeeding a founder-led organization, the importance of hiring for cultural alignment, and what it really means to lead through downturns. From hiring missteps to rebuilding trust and clarity, Andy offers practical advice for managers leading through complexity, pressure, and change.

Key Takeaways:

You can’t scale culture without defining it clearly first.
Growth hides cracks. Downturns reveal them.
Trust is built through clarity, consistency, and communication, especially in remote teams.
Wartime leadership demands decisiveness, not consensus.
Belief in the mission is the foundation for change and resilience.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Follow Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyallaway

Empire Flippers: http://www.empireflippers.com

Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/

GE’s Super-Vernova. Plus, Disney and A.I. Moviemaking

Barron's Streetwise

Gas Turbines, Electrification, and Personal Anecdote

The AI-powered Podcast Player